The BOG passed a proposal requiring deer hunters to report their hunting efforts by turning in deer harvest report cards or reporting online rather than responding to a deer harvest survey. This decision represents a significant change for Alaska’s deer hunters and unifies the policy for all areas of the state where deer harvest occurs. Online harvest reporting, in particular, can improve deer management by providing ADF&G biologists more complete and accurate harvest data in a timely manner. Similar reporting requirements are already in place for other big game species such as moose, caribou, sheep, and black bear.

The Board of Game also passed a statewide proposal prohibiting the use of Electronic Control Devices (ECD) for the taking of game, except under a permit issued by ADF&G.

There has been recent media attention on ECD use on wildlife, particularly on bears and moose, and subsequent public and wildlife safety concerns relating to this use. The department recognized the lack of authority to regulate the use of ECDs on wildlife and brought the concern to the Board of Game. Restricting the use of ECD technology will reduce the risk of improper or unethical use on wildlife by the public or other agency personnel who are unfamiliar with the potential effects and hazards. This change does not impact other legal uses of these devices by the general public for the purpose of personal protection, or their use by law enforcement in human restraint. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

The new report updates a 2007 status review of fisheries, which found many cases of chronic overfishing that continued year after year. Overfishing continues in regions where fishery managers have failed to heed scientific advice and keep fishing within sustainable limits. The result is depleted fish populations, declining catches, lower revenues and hardship for fishermen in some of the nation’s most historic fisheries, such as New England’s cod fishery. Catch limits and accountability measures are intended to prevent that from happening in the future.

“Ending overfishing has been a goal of the Magnuson-Stevens Act since its passage in 1976. With the establishment of a system of catch limits and accountability measures in all U.S. fisheries, fishery managers are poised to finally make good on that promise,” said Bruce Stedman, Executive Director of the Network. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Alaska:DPS Commissioner Extends Studded Tire Deadline – Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joseph Masters issued an emergency order to extend the studded-tire deadline on Alaska roads south of 60 degrees north latitude from April 15 to May 1. The extension makes May 1 the deadline for all Alaska roads.

The order extends the studded-tire season due to poor road conditions and adverse weather patterns that are projected for the near future. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Alaska Science:Bringing the world to a standstill By NED ROZELL - On a fine June day about 100 years ago, in a green mountain valley where the Aleutians stick to the rest of Alaska, the world fell apart.

The Valley of 10,000 Smokes on the Alaska Peninsula.
Photo by Ned Rozell.

Earthquakes swayed the alders and spruce. A mountain shook, groaned, and collapsed in on itself, its former summit swallowing rock and dust until it became a giant, steaming pit. About six miles away, hot ash began spewing from the ground in a colossal geyser. During an eruption that lasted three days, one of the most vibrant landscapes in Alaska in 1912 became the gray badlands known as the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.

The great eruption that created the valley came from a smallish clump of rocks called Novarupta. Nowhere near as grand as the nearby Mount Katmai (the mountain that lost its top), Novarupta spewed an ash cloud 20 miles into the atmosphere, belching 100 times more ash than did Mount St. Helens. Though few people know its name, Novarupta was responsible for the largest eruption of the 20th century.

In the wake of the 2010 eruption of the Iceland volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, that paralyzed air travel around Europe and the North Atlantic, Rebecca Anne Welchman took a look at what might happen if Novarupta happened today.

Welchman is a graduate student from Devon, England who became enchanted with volcanoes at the age of 13 when she traveled with her family to Hawaii. There, she saw the ocean quenching molten rock and the hook was set. More recently, she hiked with volcanologist John Eichelberger on his annual summer filed trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. It was like throwing dry pallets on a bonfire. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Morgan Elerding, age 8, crosses the finish line first, followed closely by her dad, Rocky Elerding.
Photograph courtesy Rocky Elerding

Race director Fred Jorgensen said: “This is a great way to kick off the running season with a good run followed by pancakes and prizes for just about every participant.”

The Sourdough Stampede mile race was won by 8 year old Morgan Elerding. The youngest milers were 2 year old Liam Woodward and Jack Styles. This annual event is popular with kids and parents.

The 5K race was won by Greg Singstad. Leigh Woodward finished first for women. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

POW:Prince of Wales Island Marathon May 28th - Just like those diligent postal carriers, Bill Harney of Ketchikan recently measured the Prince of Wales Island Marathon course, enduring many varied and at times damp samplings of island weather in a single day. The following day, however, brought sunlight and gentle breezes for the second measurement of the course.

A marathon course is measured and documented so as to maintain or gain its USATF certification. All certified road race courses must be measured for accuracy. Running a race on a certified course allows participants to compare their performances at the same distances on other certified courses. It also brings prestige to the race event and allows the finishing times to be used as qualifying times for other races.

How does one measure a marathon course? Some of the basics are as follows. First a calibration course is carefully laid out and biked numerous times in order to accurately calibrate the bicycle being used to ride the course. After that has been done, the course must be measured at least two times by the same rider, making multiple recordings of distances, on the same bicycle. The two sets of measurements must be within 0.08% of each other in order for the measurement of the course to be acceptable. Also the bike is calibrated again after each ride and those figures affect the final measurements. And temperature is a factor. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Open apology to readers By
Linda Gilson - I am writing in response to the thank you letter of FCCC. Some clarification of numbers raised is needed. Unfortunately in my haste to recognize once again the generous donations this winter by different groups to FCCC, I sent in to the secretary the amounts off the top of my head and have received phone calls regarding this. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURSBy
Deborah Hayden - On April 21-23 the University of Alaska, The Entrepreneurs and Mentors Network and Alaska Pacific University will sponsor an Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and Business Plan Competition. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Misinformation By Robert Thompson - Lord, Help us! I must respond to Gerry Knasiak. There was so much misinformation in her letter that I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

KIC tribal council/ sick of the compliants By Jodi Marrow - I am responding to the letter that Charles Edwardson wrote regarding "sick and tired of complaints". I am Kyle Palmer's mother. My child has had to endure so much, my son was asleep when an intruder came into HIS apartment and shot him with a rifle in the face, changing his life forever. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Southeast Alaska's timber By
Douglas Burgess - Our corporation has yet more federal legislation that has been planned out without any real input from the traditional leadership. Tribal jobs have been given away to all Whites that lost their work due to the spotted owl. - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

SealaskaBy
Ken Arriola -
I have just one word to all the "Not In My Back Yard" activists opposing Sealaska... - More...
Wednesday PM - April 13, 2011

Thanks to the membership By
Cecelia Johnson - I would like to thank the KIC membership that have taken the time to get involved with their government. When you participate in "Persons to be Heard" on the council agenda, you are exercising your right, and I, as a council member appreciate that. - More...
Monday - April 11, 2011

KIC By
Stephanie Rainwater - On my recent trip to Ketchikan, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with all the new construction projects going on within the Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC). Capital Project Manager Construction Trades Lead Adjunct, Charles Edwardson and KIC President Norman Arriola gave me a tour of KIC’s Southern Southeast Technical College, which will provide training skills for Southeast Alaska youth, Native and non-native. Norman Arriola stated, “Tribal Council established a college endowment fund to assist students’ to further their education, this was set up in 2007.” Last year Charles Edwardson used his personal funds to travel to the Legislative Fly to secure state funding for this project, this proved to be a successful endeavor, the state’s contribution was half a million dollars and according to Charles there is more state funding to come. Hat’s Off to Charles Edwardson! Good Job Housing department and Tribal Council! - More...
Monday - April 11, 2011

The Evil That Men Do ... By Florian Sever - Lisa Murkowski should take to heart the words of William Shakespeare. Many of his passages are relevant to modern events, and some are timeless. An example of the latter came to my mind after reading the SitNews article regarding Murkowski's re-introduction of the Sealaska Lands bill: "The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones..." - More...
Monday - April 11, 2011

Ketchikan Indian Community By
Charles Edwardson - Some readers of my last letter would like more information of who I am or felt the need to point out I worked for Ketchikan Indian Community -- as do several of my family members. If that was relevant to my concerns I would have included it in my letter. - More...
Monday - April 11, 2011

RE: Opposition to Sealaska legislationBy
Rick Harris - Sealaska’s land legislation is about jobs, environmental protection and cultural preservation. It has broad support because it protects local jobs and conservation areas that are treasured by all residents of Southeast Alaska. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

SEALASKA BILL NOT NECESSARY By
Rebecca Knight - There is no credible justification for the Sealaska Lands Bill introduced again this week by Senator Murkowski. If enacted, the end result will be privatization of thousands of acres of cherished public lands including numerous so-called future sites, rights to several tidal, hydro and geothermal resources, use and access issues, and much more. That the corporation has been somehow prevented from making their final selections is the basic myth they perpetuate. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Here We Go Again By
Myla Poelstra Here we go again... it's payback time for Senator Murkowski. We all knew this was coming when Mr. Byron Mallot and Sen. Albert Kookesh appeared at the announcement ceremony for the Senator's unconventional write-in campaign. Endorsements from across the aisle by these two men who have traditionally supported Democrats foretold of the next round of legislation that was sure to follow. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Vivian Phillips By
Tony Hatano-Worrell -
Vivian Phillips is more than just a great waitress. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Response to the union picket By
Max Swaim - I did not see the picket at the bottom of Jefferson, but I do have something to say about the people complaining about the unions. I myself was born and raised here in Ketchikan and I'm from a family of loggers, fisherman, and hard working men. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

An Open Letter to the Ketchikan Community By
The Board of First City Council on Cancer - First City Council on Cancer completed another wonderfully successful annual St. Patrick’s Day Auction on Saturday, March 12, 2011. This year’s auction total was $60,000. Once again our mission as an organization was fulfilled. We could not have accomplished that mission without the support provided by so many friends and volunteers. First City Council on Cancer is grateful for the many people who supported us this past year and who continue to support us year after year. We would like to recognize some of the additional community supporters and fundraisers: - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

RE: Tired of KIC members whining By
Tina Stephens - There are many services available from KIC, unfortunately many members are never offered the same treatment as other members who have found themselves in the same position. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

KIC ComplaintsBy
Cynthia Taylor - In response to Mr. Edwardson's letter about members of KIC complaining. First Mr. Edwardson I am glad you are sometimes employed by our corporation as is several of your family members. Must be nice! In case the people didn't know this. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Front page photo by Jeremy Barry By
MJ Cadle - Great cover photo! But I think it is a phenomenon called the green flash not northern lights. This phenomenon happens just after sunset as the sun goes behind the horizon, I have heard of it in the Caribbean, but never in Alaska though I do find reference online to it. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Abortion, Re-Cross Examination: Part Two By
Rob Holston - This letter concludes my response to Laura Allen’s letter of March 24 re: abortion. You seem indignant that I cited Wikipedia as a source describing “viability”. Yet you offered no better definition and no source at all. I used this information in my letter, published March 7, 2011, because it seemed in complete agreement with what I had learned in my university classes in biology, anatomy and kinesiology. If you can site a source describing viability as an exact point of development along the continuum from conception to birth then you probably will find numerous pediatricians arguing that they can deliver babies with less weight, less gestation and less development who are viable. Indeed if any point is determined it will always be seen as arbitrary and the question will begged to be asked “Can viability exist 5 seconds before this chosen point? 5 minutes before? 5 hours? 5 weeks? - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

COMMANDMENT By
Justin Eckstein - Why is it that Muslims claim Moses was a a prophet and the 10 Commandments given to Moses by OUR HEAVENLY FATHER on Mount Sinai clearly gives OUR HEAVENLY FATHER's Commandment not to kill while they believe in killing those who will not convert, and killing for other various reasons under Sharia Law. - More...
Friday PM - April 08, 2011

Sick and tired of KIC members' complaints By
Charles Edwardson - As a member of Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) I am very tired of all the whining and complaining about KIC. 99.9 percent of the complaints are from our own membership. The entire community is grateful for KIC and the economic impact we have region wide. Everyone it seems is aware of our positive activities and how we distribute our resources community wide -- everyone it seems but our own KIC membership, who are one of the most privileged tribes in the United States of America. - More...
Tuesday AM - April 05, 2011

Sharia Law vs: Alaska Law By
A. M. Johnson - In today's Ketchikan Daily News 4/4/11 editorial column the subject of Rep. Carl Gatto's bill to establish that all judicial actions within the State of Alaska will be conducted under the terms of the State of Alaska Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. The stated purpose of the bill (HR88) is to confirm that these two documents will be the ONLY factors considered in Alaska courts. - More...
Tuesday AM - April 05, 2011

Public unions By
Rex Barber - Today 04/04/11 on the corner of Tongass and Jefferson I saw something that broke my heart. A group of people supporting public unions. I'm sure every one of those people had the potential to be a great American. But instead they chose to act like a bunch of European cry babies, selling their souls both to government and Government unions. I'm all for a fair day's wage for a fair day's work,nbut what is fair about being forced to join a public union or risk losing your job? - More...
Tuesday AM - April 05, 2011

Cost of Living in KetchikanBy
Terri Anderson - I have traveled around Alaska and yes you are correct about the cost of living in Ketchikan, I've seen the highest rents and utilities there, and the lowest amount of services for that money. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

KCC performanceBy
Judith Green - This weekend Ketchikan was once again treated to a wonderful live performance by our own talented community members, some from our outlying communities, and 3 professional string players from the State of Washington. We do not (yet) have a great nationally known music hall, but we do not lack for talent or enthusiasm for the performing arts and live performances. There is a specialness about live performance that one can only understand by being present. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

Opposition to Sealaska legislation is diverseBy
Judy Magnuson - Southeast Alaska has been held in a state of turmoil and uncertainty for more than two years. This is when the majority of the public found out about the proposed Sealaska Bill and the far reaching impacts of this legislation. Once the public found out, and the issue was brought up at city council meetings all over Southeast, it created opposition to this legislation that spans across the full spectrum of people, user groups and communities in our area. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

Know who you areBy
Lewis Amundson - Not all the the time do I know where I'm going, but I can say for sure I know where I've been. I'm an Alaskan and this is something I'm proud of. Our family has instilled something in us that set us apart from the rest of the states. We know that when people are in need we lend the hand to help, we stand up for what we think is right and we protect our family. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

Sitka's Gift of Kazunoko By
Jake Ingman - Japan is the major buyer of herring sac roe, called kazunoko. Kazunoko is traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve, often given as a gift. Kazunoko means many children and symbolizes fertility and family prosperity. In recent years, American fast food places have changed the taste of Japan s youth. Strong herring returns have produced more roe, while the demand in Japan has shrunk. Japan only wants half of this year's quota. Some see this as a reason to shut down this industry, but is that a good idea? - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

AbortionBy
Paul Jarvi - Thank you Mr. Holston for your thoughts on the matter of abortion and the reminder of " Thou shall not kill." I wonder if our heros in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world can keep faith with this commandment and still do their job protecting our country. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

Re: Abortion: Re-cross Examination Part I By
Cindi Davis - I just wanted to thank Rob for having the courage to stand up for the American citizens who are slaughtered every year. It is an unpopular stance and one that divides our nation, unfortunately. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

America Must LeadBy Donald A. Moskowitz - The Libyan people rose up against their dictatorial and murderous president, and asked for world help to overthrow the tyrant and establish a democracy in Libya, but the world, including the U.S., delayed taking any action. The western world wanted to study the situation. - More...
Monday - April 04, 2011

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